Because of a minor infraction, a shipmate of mine aboard theUSS Reeves, bound for Japan, was busted one rank, fined andgiven extra duty for three weeks. Looking forward tocelebrating his 21st birthday on July 22, he consoledhimself every night during his extra duty by reciting, "Theycan bust me, they can fine me -- but they can't take away mybirthday." As July 22 approached, his excitement increased.When he went to bed on July 21, he happily repeated,

"They can bust me, they can fine me -- but they can't takeaway my birthday."

The next morning, he found out that the ship had crossed theinternational date line -- and it was July 23.